My new neuromuscular doc ordered some blood work and most came back normal. The one that was out of range was Protime, and it was elevated.

From the reading I've done this morning, that reading seems to be tied in with INR, and my level of that was normal.

When I did a search on the boards of Protime I noticed most of the results were here in my home form, the MG forum. MG is definitely at the forefront of the doc's list.

Any info / thoughts on Protime levels?

Thanks

Wiki has a pretty good explanation.

Basically it is a test to measure blood plasma clotting time. High readings may indicate a vitamin K deficiency. I don't think it has much to do with MG per se. I think it comes into play when any patient is on IVIG or plasmapheresis therapy.

Thank you Sue!

I've read a bit on plasmapheresis therapy so have a basic handle on what that is.

But what is IVIG? I see that term occasionally and do not know what it means.

I See the neuro tomorrow for the face EMG.

IVIg is IV Immunoglubulin. It means that the pooled antibodies of 1000 blood donors are infused into the patient by hooking him up to an IV. This treatment was originally designed for people who don't make their own antibodies, but it's also used for people with autoimmune diseases like MG. No one's quite sure of the mechanism for autoimmune patients, but it stops the patient from making the antibodies that are attacking his body (or it binds them).

It takes about four hours to get an IVIg infusion, and it's usually done three to five days in a row. A very sick patient might be hospitalized to receive treatment, but patients who have it routinely usually do it at an infusion center or at home with a visiting nurse.

It works very well for some MG patients, and some people here have it every six weeks because it usually wears off in that time. Since it's incredibly expensive and doesn't last long, it's usually prescribed for patients in an MG crisis, or patients with severe symptoms, or patients who need to get strong in order to have surgery like a thymectomy.

Abby